The Senior Bowl always reshapes the early dynasty rookie draft landscape. Every year, a handful of prospects arrive in Mobile with something to prove and leave with momentum that carries into the NFL Draft and dynasty rookie drafts. This year was no different.
The 2026 dynasty rookie class still has plenty of question marks, but several players clearly helped themselves during Senior Bowl week. Some answered long-standing concerns. Others simply forced dynasty managers to take notice for the first time.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Risers
Here are six dynasty rookie draft risers whose stock is climbing after strong Senior Bowl performances, along with how to think about them in upcoming rookie drafts.
Garrett Nussmeier (QB – LSU)
Nussmeier entered the Senior Bowl with his dynasty value trending in the wrong direction. His 2025 season was a sharp downturn from a productive 2024 campaign, where he led the nation in completions and threw 29 touchdowns. The efficiency cratered, the interceptions piled up, and the tape was rough.
What the Senior Bowl provided was context.
Nussmeier looked like a different quarterback in Mobile. The ball came out on time. His arm strength showed up consistently. Most importantly, he looked comfortable again, which supports the idea that his core injury last fall played a real role in his struggles.
No one is projecting Nussmeier as a long-term NFL starter, but the profile now makes sense as a high-end backup or potential bridge quarterback. His polish, experience, and pedigree give him a realistic path to Day 2 draft capital, which matters a lot in superflex formats.
If that happens, Nussmeier becomes a viable second-round rookie pick rather than an afterthought.
Kevin Coleman Jr. (WR – Missouri)
Coleman didn’t need box score production in the game to boost his stock. His Senior Bowl week was all about separation.
At 5’11” and under 180 pounds, Coleman wins with elite footwork, sudden releases, and timing. Defensive backs struggled to get their hands on him in press coverage, and once he gained leverage, the reps were over. He consistently created windows that quarterbacks could trust.
Coleman’s college career has been uneven due to offensive environments, but the underlying traits are clear. He understands how to manipulate defenders and consistently plays faster than his testing profile suggests.
For dynasty managers, Coleman profiles as a slot-heavy NFL receiver who can earn early playing time if he lands in the right system. If he runs well at the combine, he could climb into the late second or early third round of rookie drafts.
Malachi Fields (WR – Notre Dame)
Fields may have been the biggest winner of the entire week.
Big-bodied receivers often struggle to stand out at the Senior Bowl, especially during one-on-one drills. Fields did the opposite. At 6’4″ and over 215 pounds, he consistently won contested catches and showed more route nuance than expected.
His final season at Notre Dame was statistically underwhelming, but the Senior Bowl practices highlighted why NFL teams remain intrigued. Fields displayed body control, physicality at the catch point, and enough separation ability to avoid being labeled a pure jump-ball specialist.
There is now real buzz that Fields pushed himself firmly into Day 2 of the NFL Draft. If that holds, his dynasty value changes dramatically. Size-adjusted production plus draft capital is a combination dynasty managers should not ignore.
Reggie Virgil (WR – Texas Tech)
Virgil’s rise is more subtle but still meaningful.
He didn’t dominate the game itself, but his practice reps stood out because of how quickly he transitions in and out of breaks. Virgil accelerates rapidly and snaps routes with precision, which consistently left defensive backs chasing.
At around 6’2″ with a lean build, the biggest question is how he handles press coverage at the next level. That concern likely keeps him in the Day 3 draft range. Still, his change-of-direction ability gives him a clear NFL skill that translates.
For dynasty purposes, Virgil looks like a classic undervalued rookie draft target. He’s the type of receiver who slips into the fourth round of rookie drafts and becomes a useful depth asset if he earns a rotational role early.
Tyren Montgomery (WR – John Carroll)
Montgomery’s path to relevance is one of the more unusual stories in this class.
A former basketball player who didn’t play high school football, Montgomery dominated Division III competition before earning a late Senior Bowl invite. The jump in competition didn’t faze him. He consistently separated, won at the catch point, and looked like he belonged.
At just under 6’0″ and around 190 pounds, Montgomery projects as a slot receiver. What matters is that he showed the quickness and instincts necessary to win there. Senior Bowl buzz can only carry a small-school prospect so far, but Montgomery clearly moved from off-the-radar to draftable.
His combine testing will ultimately determine how far he rises, but dynasty managers should already be paying attention.
Mike Washington (RB – Arkansas)
Washington helped himself by simply being seen.
A big, physical back with legitimate speed, Washington stood out in a crowded running back group. The most encouraging development came in pass-catching drills, where he looked natural running routes and creating separation against linebackers.
That matters because Washington has often been viewed as an early-down grinder. Showing receiving upside expands his potential NFL role and keeps him on the field.
In a class with several uncertain running back profiles, Washington’s combination of size, violence, and athleticism makes him an appealing dynasty bet. He’s trending toward the second round of rookie drafts, especially if his combine confirms the speed.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Takeaways
- Garrett Nussmeier re-entered the superflex conversation with a strong Senior Bowl and could land in Round 2 of rookie drafts
- Kevin Coleman Jr.’s separation skills make him a slot weapon worth targeting if his combine time cooperates
- Malachi Fields looks like a legitimate Day 2 NFL Draft pick and one of the biggest risers in the class
- Reggie Virgil profiles as a Day 3 receiver with underrated route-running upside
- Tyren Montgomery went from unknown to draftable and is now firmly on dynasty radars
- Mike Washington‘s receiving ability boosts his floor and makes him a sneaky RB target
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